I stay with this brand when I can very simply because they don’t take back property owned by the customer. The other big lodging companies will take back loyalty points if you don’t keep on buying. BW does NOT require a customer continue to buy if they want to go dormant for over a year.
As a kid I liked the brand because they were not cookie-cutter, but guaranteed a level of quality worth buying. This one is no stranger to that. Upon checking in I found a fresh, clean, lobby, and professional courteous personnel on the late night shift. The facility shows no signs of wear, the parking lot was clean, and the inside corridors fresh and new, even though it’s obvious this building has been around a few years.
They assigned me the easiest room to access in the whole property, room 101, which was a delight. When I checked in I found the furniture, fixtures, and all room amenities in fresh, new condition, paint was recent, and the bathroom completely free of any mold, or mildew. The vent fan in the ceiling screamed upon start up, and shut down, and it will be a casualty soon if not oiled or replaced. The anti-scald valve in the tub worked, but the control was rubbery, and it’s only a short amount of time until that requires replacement, but worked perfectly for my stay. The tub enclosure/tile was BRIGHT WHITE, and sparkled without a spec of mold.
They offered what I’d consider a standard flat-screen TV of some variety, a short-pocket sized microwave oven, that also worked correctly, and a double-shirt-pocket sized refrigerator/freezer unit with the freezer the standard ball of ice usually found in these no automatic defrost units. All of it had been cleaned thoroughly and was working correctly. The exhaust fan in the bathroom screamed like a banshee.
I never did pull out the divan or use the bedding in there, but the condition of the unit, as well as other seating in the room was good. The closet door, which amounts to a swinging mirror, needed some kind of catch installed to keep it closed. It looks like Texas shifting soils have done some shifting since the building erected. The bathroom door would not sit still, and voluntarily swung in front of the entry door constantly.
Upon looking into the free breakfast, they actually had breakfast, compared to some others. They had crisp bacon, fake scrambled egg filler stuff, French toast, waffles, yogurt, milk, juice, coffee, cereal, and more, which I consider standard fare for this grade of lodging. It was obvious they spend a few more bucks than are needed to just get by as some inns will do.
They have coffee available around the clock for guests, and it’s pretty good – not instant tasting, although it’s instant. Vending machines were adequately stocked with enough choices. One can buy alcohol next door at the dollar store, as well as a much wider selection of soda.
I had a billing problem on the second night, and I want to complement the staff on their concern, professionalism, and courtesy on straightening that out. I do like the rate of $0 (loyalty points) for the first night, and the second night rate was VERY reasonable. The party checking me in didn’t understand their software, but the next shift fixed it. I'm accustomed to finding late-night desk people who are only holding a chair down, and really don't care, but not at this place.
This building looks like so many others’ built in the era in that it doesn’t have any personality, and there’s nothing unique about it. If someone took the sign down it could not be identified as any brand, and it could change brands over night and the customer couldn’t tell it. They have done a great job of maintaining it, and it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if some other brand buys the property, as they often do. When I asked for more hand towels, or more supplies they responded immediately. The days where there was anything distinctive about a lodging property are fading fast.
Were I in this area again, oh heck yes, I would stay here again, and I would recommend them to anybody. They are within walking distance of a considerable amount of retail, restaurants, grocery stores, fast food, pharmacies, and almost anything a tourist might want, but NOT MSU. They have lots of free parking, easy access to the doors, and it looks like the grounds are well kept with only a few shrubs dead from Texas’ weather. Give them a try, and I feel sure you’ll be pleased.
US